NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat Tigers defenceman Veeti Väisänen makes an exitpass out of his end in the first period of a 5-2 win at Co-op Place on March 4 over the Kelowna Rockets.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Medicine Hat Tigers’ two Finnish defencemen are looking forward to their first taste of the WHL playoffs.
The defensive duo of Veeti Väisänen and Niilopekka Muhonen have enjoyed their first seasons in the Western Hockey League and living in North America.
“It’s been a great experience here, how we play and some foods are different,” Väisänen said. “I have found more success in the offensive zone, getting better there, the coaches help us.”
Väisänen finished his regular season with four goals and 24 points in 58 games, playing alongside Tanner Molendyk in the second half of the season. Muhonen tallied four goals and 17 points in 60 games, suiting up beside Josh Van Mulligen. They’ve both found success to come easier following the holiday break as they’ve settled into the city and the game.
“It’s nice to get to know the guys and they can talk a little bit more and joke around,” Muhonen said.
That was the grace period, half the year, head coach Willie Desjardins said they would need at the start of the season.
“Veeti has playing with Moly and doing a great job, he’s a good defender, he’s hard to play against and he’s getting more offensive as well,” Desjardins said. “Nilo has been great, too, both those guys, you couldn’t really judge the first half, you had to wait to see where they’re at. But both are good. Nilo is a big, heavy guy, plays hard, kind of a playoff guy. So we’re pretty excited with both guys.”
That physicality is something the Dallas Stars’ prospect Muhonen takes pride in, smiling ear-to-ear when talking about some of the thunderous hits he’s thrown throughout the season.
“It’s always fun, I like it a lot,” Muhonen said.
Both are looking forward to the playoffs as pressure ramps up, starting Friday with Game 1 at Co-op Place against the Swift Current Broncos. Muhonen says he’s focused on just playing his game, not worrying too much about the moment. Väisänen shares the excitement and sentiment as his fellow Fin.
“The whole team, we just have to treat it one game at a time,” Väisänen said. “Try to win all of the games but take it one game at a time.”
Väisänen, a Utah Hockey Club prospect, has played in front of larger crowds under a lot of pressure, suiting up in Finland’s pro league last season with KooKoo in Liiga. He’s been able to play a little more free as he’s gotten comfortable, crediting his d-partner for making that possible.
“It’s easy to play with (Molendyk), he’s a first rounder who is probably going to play in the NHL next season,” Väisänen said.
“I have more confidence when playing. In Finland, you don’t want to make a mistake because it’s a pro league and you’re playing for your job.”
